| Methods |
Randomised controlled trial
Blinding: unclear
Loss to follow‐up: none at 4 weeks,
Appropriate statistical analysis: intention to treat only for satisfaction with treatment at 4 weeks |
| Participants |
78 patients
Inclusion criteria:
full thickness rotator cuff tear diagnosed by arthography or MRI.
Exclusion criteria: prior intra‐articular injection of any drugs, abnormal hepatic or renal function, pregnancy, severe osteoarthritic changes of affected shoulder joint, symptoms resulting from cervical lesions |
| Interventions |
Group 1(38 patients): intra‐articular injections of 25mg hyaluronate plus 3ml 1% lidocaine
Group 2(40 patients): intra‐articular injections of 2mg dexamethasone plus 3ml lidocaine.
Injections were performed once weekly for 5weeks or earlier if shoulder disability resolved during treatment period.
All patients were prescribed loxoprofen (180mg/day) and physical therapy which included heat and cuff‐strengthening exercise. |
| Outcomes |
Assessed at baseline and 4 weeks after final injection
1) active abduction, external and internal rotation
2) patient's assessment of improvement of symptoms, satisfaction with treatment, desire for surgery for rotator cuff repair.
3) UCLA score incorporating pain, function, active forward flexion, manual muscle testing and satisfaction of patients. |
| Notes |
See analyses 10. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Unclear risk |
B ‐ Unclear |
